Artichoke plant named ‘PS-MSC0041’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Artichoke plant named ‘PS-MSC0041’ characterized by having male sterility which is demonstrated by the absence of pollen on all florets during anthesis. The new cultivar has numerous, large, semi-glossy heads and thick, fleshy bracts and hearts. ‘PS-MSC0041’ shows uniformity of head shapes and a compact, reduced plant growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of artichokeplant, botanically known as Cynara scolymus L. and herein referred to bythe cultivar name ‘PS-MSC0041’.

Cynara scolymus L., commonly known as Globe artichoke, is a thistle-likeperennial herb and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Globeartichokes comprise leaves which are pinnately lobed but primarilyspineless, globose capitula composed of overlapping layers of largeinvolucral bracts, and receptacles which are enlarged and fleshy. Globeartichoke plants may be propagated by division and are essentially grownfor the production of the immature flower heads, which are considered asvegetable delicacies. Fresh artichokes may be steamed or boiled, afterwhich the fleshy receptacle, inner and outer bracts, and parts of thefloral stem may be eaten.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program carried outby the inventor, William J. Colfer at Chowchilla, Calif. 1996.‘PS-MSC0041’ was discovered and selected within the progeny toopen-pollinated proprietary cultivar MS2C-1 by the inventor, William J.Colfer.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by division was performed bythe inventor in Watsonville, Calif. in 1996, and has demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘PS-MSC0041’ which in combinationdistinguish the Artichoke as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Male sterility which is demonstrated by the absence of pollen on allflorets during anthesis;

2. Numerous, large, semi-glossy heads;

3. Thick, fleshy bracts and hearts;

4. Uniformity of head shapes; and

5. Compact, reduced plant growth habit.

‘PS-MSC0041’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variationsin environment such as temperature, humidity, light intensity anddaylength, without any change in the genotype. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Chowchilla, Calif. under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in horticultural practice.

Chowchilla is located in California's central San Juaquin valley.Conditions can vary greatly during the summer months. Air temperatrurescan range between the low 60's (F.) to temperatures well over 100° F.Relative humidity is generally low with values ranging from the mid 40'sto the high 60's. Prevailing winds are westerly and rainfall averagesrarely exceed 15″ (inches) of rainfall.

In the following description, holding quality was measured by thephysical appearance of the head. This includes the head's appearancefollowing 3, 7, and 10-day storage periods in cold storage at 34° F. Thehead's exterior (oxidation) was observed at each of the threeobservation points. Browning and blackening of plant tissue wasevaluated as light, moderate and extreme. Juiciness was measured byobserving visible exudate and rated as absent, moderate-presence orexcess. Overall storage response was measured by observing headsfollowing 3, 7 and 10-day cold storage periods. These observationsconcentrated on visible color variability and/or presence of lesions orother cosmetic anomalies. Leaf ratio (L/W) was determined by dividingrepresentative leaf sample lengths by their width. Finally, headresponse (weather) was determined by observing the heads at maturity.These field observations focus on the presence or absence of bronzing,necrotic or chlorotic lesions or any abiotic responses to environmentalconditions. AFLP (DNA analysis was conducted on each parental selection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographic illustrations show typical fruit andfoliage charcteristics of a specimen plant of ‘PS-MSC0041’, with colorsbeing as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

The first drawing is a side elevational view of the fruit and foliage.

The second drawing is a close-up view of the fruit showing its physicaldimensions.

The third drawings is close-up view showing a vertical cross-section ofthe fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Chowchilla, Calif. The data was collected fromfirst year tissue culture outplants. Selections were made in outdoorfield settings. Plants are grown in the soil in rows. Row spacing (bedcenters) is 38 inches, individual plant spacing varies between 12-36inches, depending upon original seed germination. Stem segments wereused to develop shoots which were transferred to a rooting medium forroot development. These plants were then transplanted into thegreenhouse for final plant growth and development. The date of firstharvest is approximately May 15 and the date of final harvest isapproximately June. 20.

Color references are measured against The Munsell Book of Color, MunsellColor Macbeth Division of Kollmorgen Corporation.

Parentage: ‘PS-MSC0041’ was discovered and selected within the progenyof open-pollinated proprietary cultivar MS2C-1.

Classification: Cynara scolymus L., c.v. ‘PS-MSC0041’.

Propagation: Asexual production either by tissue culture using stemsegments to develop shoots for root development or division.

Plant:

Height.—Approximately 81.92-99.06 cm.

Width.—Approximately 147.32-170.82 cm.

Form.—Full.

Growth habit.—Upright.

Plant vigor.—10.0 cm (2-3 leaves)-99.06 cm (20-26 leaves) from fallplanting (mid October) to final harvest (following May).

Side shoots.—Number: Approximately 1-3. Development: Moderate. Length:20.5-105.0 cm, average 72.67 cm. Diameter: 15.0-32.0 mm, average 24.83mm. Color: Highly pubescent, color range: 2.5GY 8/14-2.5GY 8/6-2.5GY7/6.

Foliage density.—Dense; increased density observed with increased sideshoot development.

Main stem.—Length: 20.5-25.0 cm; average 22.6 cm. Diameter: 33.0-40.0mm; average 37.17 mm. Leaves on main stem: Approximately 20-28, average24.83. Color: Highly pubescent, color range: 2.5GY 8/4-2.5GY 8/6-2.5GY7/6.

Capitulum:

Size.—Primary: Approximately 36.20-38.10 cm. Secondary: Approximately33.66-35.56 cm.

Shape.—Oval; some shape variability observed as oval/spherical.

Number.—Approximately 3-11 per plant.

Texture.—Intermediate, smooth.

Fragrance.—Moderate, lightly aromatic.

Bract size.—Length: Approximately 8.2-9.5 cm. Width: Approximately4.6-6.1 cm.

Bract shape.—Predominantly oval-shaped.

Bract texture.—Smooth, slight texture.

Bract number.—Approximately 48-52 per head.

Bract color.—Inner: 7.5 Y 9/2-10 Y 9/1. Outer: 2.5 GY 9/2-5 GY 9/1.

Bract firmness.—Firm and fleshy with thick basal thickness.

Bract basal thickness.—Approximately 5.0-9.0 mm.

Heart description.—Concave, full, well-developed with thick bractconnection.

Heart color.—7.5 Y 9/2-10 Y 9/2.

Pappus length.—Approximately 1.5-2.0 cm.

Pappus color.—7.5Y 9/2-10Y 9/2.

Overall cold storage response.—Good; stems slightly browned; noblackening visible.

Head firmness.—Firm, heads (capitula) are dense and solid.

Gloss.—Semi-gloss appearance which is distinct but not polished.

Cold storage (hold quality).—Good, heads remain firm and free of decay.

Head exterior (oxidation).—Moderate response; some tissue is slightlybrowned not blackened.

Juiciness.—Moderate presence, some exudate is visible following pedunclecut.

Head response (weather).—No adverse responses to weather conditions wereobserved on heads (capitula) or other plant tissues.

Bud burst.—April 1-April 10.

Bloom time.—Approximately May 20.

Duration of bloom.—Approximately 40-45 days.

Bloom diameter.—4.83-6.99 cm; average 5.74 cm.

Bloom depth.—8.26-10.8 cm; average 10.11 cm.

Bloom shape.—Head.

Bud weight.—Primary bud weight 470.2-481.3 grams, average 473.36 grams;secondary bud weight 432.7-450.45 grams, average 441.49 grams.

Foliage:

Shape.—Long strap-like leaves characterized by lobes that extend to themid-vein, lobes are irregularly dentate.

Length.—Approximately 86.7-115.7 cm.

Width.—Approximately 40.2-79.7 cm.

Leaf serrations.—Approximately 7.6-15.7 cm.

Leaf basal angle.—Approximately 25-45 degrees.

Leaf ratio (L/W).—Approximately 1.1-2.28.

Leaf area.—Approximately 3541.62-8006.44 cm².

Upper leaf surface color.—Pubescent, color range: 5GY 4/2-5GY 4/4-5GY3/6.

Lower leaf surface color.—Highly pubescent, color range: 5GY 7/2-5GY6/2-5GY 5/2.

Texture.—Slightly but uniformly textured.

Venation.—Intermediate and greenish; mid-vein is light-green rangingbetween 5GY 7/6-5GY 6/6-5GY 6/4.

Pubescence.—Sparse, some visible pubescence on lower leaf surface.

Leaf basal thickness.—Approximately 14.0-23.0 cm.

Leaf distance between serrations.—Approximately 3.0-5.8 cm.

Petiole length.—Approximately 3.0-9.7 cm.

Petiole width.—Approximately 3.0-9.6 cm.

Petiole color.—Pubescent, color range: 2.5GY 8/6-2.5GY 7/6.

Seeds:

Shape.—Compressed ovoid, can be angular, mid-section asymmetrical.

Number.—1.0-15.0 seeds per head; average 5 seeds per head.

Length.—7.0-9.0 mm; average 8.0 mm.

Width.—3.0-5.0 mm; average 4.14 mm.

Color.—Gray, green, with tan and light brown hues in a speckled pattern.

Plant/bud disease resistance/susceptibility: Moderate infection ofpowdery mildew, Leveillula taurica, Ramularia spp. and Alternaria spp.leaf spot were noted; infection limited to the plant's lower canopy.

General observations: ‘PS-MSC0041’ is made sterile lacking pollen on allflorets during anthesis (flowering). Floret number ranges between1106-1378 per head; with an average of 1264 florets per head.‘PS-MSC0041’ plants exhibit moderate height ranging from 81-99 cm. Itsglossy head, green coloration, thick fleshy bracts and heart(receptacle) all characterize this cultivar. These glossy heads(capitula) are large. ‘PS-MSC0041’ produces an average size (12)primary, size (12-18) secondary and size (24-36) tertiaries. Headnumbers range between 3-11 heads per plant.

Anthocyanin coloration is visible on both interior bracts and exteriorlower bracts, color range: 7.5RP 5/4-7.5R 4/4. The head spinosity isreduced with average spine length of approximately 1-2 mm. The plantsupright growth habit is intermediate and vigorous. The canopies'coloration is a medium green/yellow color ranging from medium to darkershades. These colors range on the Munsell Leaf Color Chart 5 GY 3/4-5 GY4/4-5 GY 4/6-5 GY 4/8. These colors under drier field conditions canhave a slight bluish hue. Leaf spinosity is moderate, categorized asfew. Floral stalk development during anthesis produces a purple flower,color range: 10P 6/10-10/p 5/10-10P 5/12-2.5RP 5/12.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Artichoke plant named‘PS-MSC0041’, as described and illustrated.